A war by any other name1| New engagement euphemismThe details: White House Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes claimed the bombing campaign in Libya is not a war at all, but a “kinetic military action.” So, we’re not really fighting a war in Libya?Japan crisis worsens2| More containment vessel leaks?The details: Japanese officials acknowledged that the containment vessel of one of the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant reactors appeared to have leaked. Water inside the reactor had 10,000 times the normal amount of radiation.Socrates outta there3| Leader quits in budget crisisThe details: Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates resigned and said, “I am convinced the country is lost” after his parliament failed to pass an austerity package. The European country could be the next to require a bailout.Rent-seeker supreme4| General Electric paid no taxesThe details: For the second year in a row, General Electric not only paid no taxes, it claimed a $3.2 billion tax benefit. GE made $14.2 billion in profits in 2010, with $5.2 billion of that coming stateside. Not neutral5| FCC chairman mocks Issa The details: Federal Communications Commission head Julius Genachowski “ignored” a request for “net neutrality” documents from the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, according to its chairman, Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif. Next come the subpoenas. Snoozing 6| Air controller snores on jobThe details: Two passenger jets were forced to land without clearance at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport as the lone air traffic controller on duty snored away. The FAA employee was subsequently suspended.Unprepared7| BRAC gridlock forecast The details: In just six months, about 30,000 defense workers will move to new workplaces around Washington. But state, local and federal officials concede needed transportation improvements aren’t in place and won’t be before the move.Detention8| Principal in hot water at McKinleyThe details: McKinley Technical High School Principal David Pinder has been suspended over allegations that he doctored grades and assigned seniors phony credits to bolster the school’s graduation rate. A probe has also been started into possible misappropriation of a $100,000 academic award.Empty chair9| Board member absent but paidThe details: Metro board member Marcell Solomon, whose contract was terminated in December, earned $36,000 — the highest of any board member — despite missing 63 percent of Metro board meetings.No surprise here10| Worst cell phone serviceThe details: The Washington-Baltimore region ranked as the worst for cell phone reception, with 18 problems — including static, echoes and dropped calls — reported for every 100 users. Reception was best in Cincinnati and Pittsburgh among the 27 ranked nationwide.
